The expansion of Rourkela Airport has gained fresh momentum with the Airports Authority of India (AAI) deploying a technical team to initiate a critical Obstacle Limitation Surfaces (OLS) survey this week.
The move is a significant step in the plan to upgrade the airport to Code 4C category, which will enable operations of narrow-body aircraft such as the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737, effectively bringing the steel city into the mainstream of Indian aviation connectivity. The OLS survey, scheduled from April 15 to 22, is being conducted by a dedicated team comprising a senior GIS analyst, a GIS analyst, and an associate consultant. Though it experienced a minor delay in initiation, the week-long technical assessment is integral to the planned transformation of the airport into a fully capable instrument flight rules (IFR) compliant hub with CAT I Instrument Landing System (ILS) support. Once complete, the upgraded facility will be equipped to handle larger aircraft operations round the clock, including during adverse weather conditions.
The vision for this upgradation has been jointly advanced by the Odisha state government and central stakeholders, recognising the pressing need to improve air connectivity in this industrial belt. With the rapid development of Rourkela as an educational and industrial centre, particularly driven by the presence of the Rourkela Steel Plant and the National Institute of Technology, there is a compelling need for enhanced passenger and cargo movement infrastructure. In a significant move earlier this year, the state’s Commerce and Transport Department formally proposed the expansion to AAI, committing to bear the costs of the survey and requesting the development of a comprehensive master plan.
The proposed master plan includes extending the current runway to 2,700 metres in length and 45 metres in width, along with the installation of a Doppler VHF Omni Range (DVOR) navigation aid and CAT I ILS. These upgrades would align Rourkela Airport with international safety and navigation standards, allowing for seamless regional and national connectivity.
Behind the scenes, however, unresolved land acquisition issues have slowed progress. A high-level meeting held in March, involving the Union Minister for Tribal Affairs, Odisha’s Revenue and Transport Minister, senior officials from Rourkela Steel Plant (under SAIL), and the local district administration, aimed to untangle these complications and fast-track clearances. While the survey’s commencement is a welcome development, its outcome will determine the viability of the next phase of infrastructural work and eventually the certification of the airport under Code 4C standards.
Civic groups such as the Sachetan Nagarik Manch have thrown their weight behind the project, underlining its potential to uplift the region economically and socially. There is growing public sentiment that Rourkela deserves a modern, high-capacity airport that reflects its strategic industrial importance, and supports green, inclusive urban growth. Enhanced air connectivity is also expected to reduce reliance on road and rail for long-distance travel, thereby contributing to reduced carbon emissions and improved travel efficiency.
If executed on schedule, the expansion of Rourkela Airport could mark a transformative milestone for western Odisha, opening the gateway to increased tourism, trade, and equitable development. As India’s civil aviation sector strives for sustainable growth, projects like this stand at the intersection of infrastructure modernisation and regional equity—both essential for a future-ready urban landscape.
